“The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective.” — Beyonce
Overview
I still remember the first time I went diving. I was with friends at a resort in the Yasawas in Fiji. We signed up for a Resort Dive — which means you don’t have to be certified to put that tank on your back and dive in. Instead, you go with the dive master for a personalised tour of our majestic oceans. I was nervous, but step by step I met my fears. And soon I was immersed in another world.
Everything becomes quiet. Still. All you hear is your own rhythmic breathing. In. Out. In. Out. And as your existence is reduced to the breath, a sense of calm arrives. I’ve never considered myself great at meditation, but under the sea, it’s definitely a meditative experience. We moved effortlessly through the water, swimming around coral heads that were home to myriad fish and sea life. Shy eels peered out. Colorful fish playfully darted among anemones. And the corals fascinated me. So many hues, shapes and textures. All alive. All celebrating the beauty of the sea.
By the time we surfaced from that Resort Dive, I was hooked. And soon thereafter I became a certified diver — first getting my PADI Open Water Diver certification and then my PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification. It’s never too late to learn, by the way. Diving is gentle and appealing for many ages. If you’ve ever wondered what’s below the ocean surface, consider starting with a Resort Dive. It’s magical. In this issue of Tavola Treasure we share with you the stunning diving experiences of the Northern Islands — diving destinations in Fiji, a 5-day diving itinerary, recommended outfitters, and specials at Tavola to experience the sea. Take a peek into the ocean — and put your whole life into perspective.
Michelle
TOP DIVING DESTINATIONS IN FIJI
Caves, sharks, rays and the soft coral capital of the world: Fiji is world-renowned for its breathtaking underwater sights, colorful coral reefs and incredible marine biodiversity. With turquoise blue waters hugging over 300 islands, this South Pacific island nation is a scuba diver’s dream. Fiji also offers a diverse array of dive locations suitable for all levels. From stunning dive sites to channels with sharks and manta rays, find here the highlights for the best scuba diving in Fiji that should be on every diver’s bucket list.
Fiji has no shortage of vibrant and healthy coral reef ecosystems that provide jaw-dropping backdrops for scuba diving adventures. On many islands, including our beloved island of Vanua Levu, there are coral rehabilitation projects supported by dive operators and local village communities to keep the reefs healthy and strong. Some of the best scuba diving in Fiji could be right around the corner.
In the pristine Northern Islands, explore the Rainbow Reef, the Great White Wall, the protected Namena Marine Reserve, manta drifts near Rabi Island, Shark Alley canyons, patch reefs in Savusavu Bay, and untouched habitats in Natewa Bay. In the Yasawas, meet mantas and off the mainland in Beqa Lagoon, dive with sharks. Read all about these alluring dive destinations.
5 – DAY ITINERARY FOR UNDERWATER ADVENTURES
White walls on the Rainbow Reef, marine reserves and mantas, sharks and turtles: Tavola is perfectly situated as your home base for incredible diving in the Northern Islands. Here’s a sample 5-day itinerary of dive adventures which we’re delighted to customise and extend with you.
DAY 1: Dive the reefs of Savusavu Bay with Cousteau Diving: Explore the patch reefs of Savusavu Bay — Goldilocks with an inviting diversity of hard and soft corals, Mystery Reef with multi-coloured soft corals and unicorn fish, and Alice in Wonderland with mushroom-shaped corals.
DAY 2: Explore Namena Marine Reserve with Cousteau Diving: Namena is one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, and it is truly spectacular. With miles of unexplored reefs, you can expect to see exquisite coral gardens, dramatic drop-offs and big fish cruising in from the depths of the Koro Sea — like barracuda, Spanish mackerel, dog tooth tuna, mantas and large sharks.
DAY 3: Explore Natewa Bay with Ocean Ventures: The largest bay in the South Pacific, Natewa is truly an underwater paradise. Due to the nature of its shifting reefs, no ships venture into the bay. Since it’s surrounded by lush tropical rainforest, the bay is remote and protected. As a result, it has an almost mystical and otherworldly feel. Our guests have snorkeled with whales in Natewa, played with dolphins, spied mantas leaping and witnessed birthing of sharks in a sandbar nursery. Eden, for sure.
DAY 4: Rainbow Reef and Great White Wall in Somosomo Strait with Remote Resort Diving: The Rainbow Reef was discovered by Jacques Cousteau and is known as the soft coral capital of the world. Slip into turquoise waters and explore the Great White Wall, Cabbage Patch, Fish Factory, and up to twenty other dive sites. Somosomo Strait means “good water” — the strait has strong tidal currents and abundant nutrients for healthy and diverse soft coral and tropical fish.
DAY 5: Dive Dream House and Shark Alley in Savusavu Bay with Cousteau Diving: If you’re a shark enthusiast, you’ll love Cousteau’s shark dives and the experience at Dream House where scalloped hammerheads, grey reefs and white tip sharks gather. This destination is an opportunity to see sharks in their natural habitat, and gain an appreciation for the majesty of these ancient creatures.
When you stay at Tavola, we are pleased to help you customise your dive itinerary!
TEAMING WITH COUSTEAU, THE REMOTE AND OCEAN VENTURES
Top-rated outfitters: When you stay at Tavola, we actively curate your dive experiences. We know these operators personally. We appreciate their attention to detail, their safety records and the warm and inviting hospitality they offer. We’ve been on excursions with all of them, and we’ve come back raving. So we’re excited to share these special people with you.
COUSTEAU DIVING: Cousteau Diving is affiliated with Cousteau Resort and is world-renowned. Founded by Jean-Michel Cousteau, the operations carry on the spirit, passion and commitment of the family patriarch, Jacques Cousteau. Cousteau Diving is just a mile from Tavola Villa and is accessible via a picturesque beachside walk, or a quick drive. Cousteau offers snorkeling, diving and a wide range of PADI certification courses, as well as equipment rentals. In fact, three of our family members became certified Open Water Divers at Cousteau, from the comfort of Tavola Villa.
Cousteau’s top-notch dive team guides novices and experts alike through the wonders of remarkable dive sites in Savusavu Bay. And when you book your dives in advance, you are welcome to stay on for lunch or dinner at 5-star Cousteau Resort.
THE REMOTE RESORT: The Remote Resort is located on the coast of Vanua Levu. From their shores you will experience the Rainbow Reef and the Great White Wall. Divers the world over covet the experience of these underwater gardens. The Remote handles your round trip transfers from Tavola to the coast, and hosts you for the day. Easy. So easy, in fact, that you may choose to go another day to snorkel with mantas in the channel near Rabi Island. We’ve done that, and honestly, it’s sensational.
OCEAN VENTURES: Our friends Matthew and Sara operate Ocean Ventures in Natewa Bay. This is a mystical paradise, untouched by modern man. When you come to the Northern Islands, make sure you experience Natewa Bay. Matthew and Sara offer both snorkeling and diving excursions. And if you’re keen to learn about corals and assist our seas, you can see the coral nurseries that Ocean Ventures have been tending since our cyclone in 2020. You can also study Reef Ecology for a PADI certification by joining Matthew and Sara’s online course. We are in love with Natewa Bay, and Ocean Ventures routinely garners awards as a top dive operator from ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.
UNDERSEA SPECIALS AT TAVOLA
Complimentary snorkeling with Captain Jack: At Tavola, the shore of Savusavu Bay is your front yard. Our snorkeling gear is yours to use as you like. Tote your snorkel mask and fins down to the beach and wade into cool waters. Colorful corals abound, from our beach to the protected reserve Split Rock.
Or, motor out on our private skiff Ossus with Captain Jack at the helm. Snorkel phenomenal reefs and meet brilliant sea life by the lighthouse. When you book your stay at Tavola this month, we’re delighted to include a complimentary outing on Ossus — for snorkeling, fishing or a sunset cruise.
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.